Rummaging through the remaining free agents for the Padres
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s take a look at the remaining free agents who could wind up signing with the San Diego Padres in the coming weeks.
Undoubtedly, the San Diego Padres will add to their roster in the coming weeks.
The team will not be major players in Pete Alonso. Nor will they be able to retain Tanner Scott, who is a free agent. Instead, the Padres will be looking to trade some of their high-priced talent for young, controlled players. They will also look to sign some veteran players whom they perceive as undervalued.
The roster is full of stars. They must perform.
A,J, Preller, and his staff still have a chance to add some relevant players who are looking for work—men who have something to prove. The game of baseball is very much about motivation when it comes to production. Signing a few players on a one-year, prove-it deal may pay enormous dividends for the Padres.
Some talented veterans are out there—players who were once in the sport’s upper echelon.
Rummaging through them and determining who has something left in the tank is not an exact science. The Padres would be wise to fill their roster with multiple players like this and see who emerges. Donovan Solano and David Peralta were extremely valuable last year, and both men were selected well into the spring training season.
Here is a look at the remaining free agents and who may fit the Padres roster.
Catcher
There is no doubt the team needs catching depth. Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan are the only men on the roster right now. You get a sense the Padres are not content with Campusano. Something will need to happen in this regard. Ethan Salas is at least a year from being considered ready. Brandon Valenzuela is a lot closer, but the switch-hitting catcher is not considered a polished hitter and may struggle with the bat.
James McCann is arguably the best option, though Grandal comes with a bigger name. Neither is someone you want to trot out there on most days. The Padres will likely need to make a trade to improve this area. Luis Campusano has an outside chance to start the year behind the plate, but it looks to be simply by default at this point.
First Base/DH
There is no true first baseman on the Padres roster. Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth played the position last year for the Padres. Neither was inadequate with the glove, but both men can still play second base, and the Padre may explore adding an offensive weapon at the position for the coming season.
Of this lot, Rizzo is intriguing as he is an everyday-type first baseman. Injuries have derailed his career, and he may be secured on a team-friendly deal. Ty France also makes sense to some degree, as he will have a lot to prove in the coming season. The former Friar slugs left-handed pitching,g, and the Padres may covet that. Solano was valuable to the team last year, and they may explore bringing back the veteran with hopes that he can replicate his 2024 season. Turner and Martinez are veterans who may still have something left in the tank.
Second Base
Yoan Moncada
Obviously, if the Padres signed Kim, he would stay the everyday shortstop. His defense is superb at the position. The Padres may struggle to meet his asking price, though the Korean infielder has yet to sign. The Padres are interested in bringing Kim back, but it will come down to cost. This is not a likely reunion. You have to figure that someone will give him a multiple-year deal.
Jose Iglesias had a wonderful year in New York and was arguably the Mets’ best hitter down the stretch. He will likely be too expensive for the Padres coming off a productive year. A player who has low value right now is Yoan Moncada. He was once considered one of the better prospects in the league. Moncada is looking for a multiple-year deal, but given his poor track record with the bat and the injuries, he may need to settle for a one-year deal. This is a player who could have a monster year. He is also capable of never playing in the league again with another down season.
Left Field
Ramon Laureano
This is an interesting group. Nobody, besides Profar, stands out. The Padres would love to retain Jurickson Profar but cannot meet his asking price. Profar is reportedly looking for a three-year deal around the $30 million mark. He is coming off a career-best season in 2024, in which he made only $1 million. He wants to be paid and deserves it.
Verdugo can be an everyday player, but the soon-to-be 29-year-old has never lived up to expectations. He may be motivated to have a career year on a one-year deal. That is an intriguing thought for the Padres. Laureano, Canha, and Hays traditionally crush left-handed pitching. But each man would likely need a left-handed counterpart to play against tough right-handed pitchers. Pham and Margot have a history in San Diego, but neither option is realistic. Bader can play center but is likely not an everyday player at this point in his career.
Starting pitcher
Martin Perez
The Padres may need to add a veteran arm to solidify the rotation. There are several question marks when it comes to the staff. Roki Sasaki is a target for the Padres, but nothing is set in stone in where the Japanese ace will pitch in 2025. Dylan Cease has been the center of several rumors for the Padres as they attempt to get under their budget. His potential trade will come down to Sasaki and whether or not the Padres sign him. Martin Perez pitched well for the Padres down the stretch, but can the veteran repeat that in 2025 for a full season?
Jeff Hoffman relieved in 2024, but many think he is capable of making the leap to starting pitcher. He comes with some risk, but the Padres may be players if the price is right. San Diego has a track record of turning relievers into successful starters, and that may be enticing to Hoffman. Verlander and Scherzer would be complete shots in the dark. Both future hall-of-farmers would be expensive, but they could be beneficial in the playoffs. They both come with huge risks. Cal Quantrill is a safe bet to eat innings, but needs refinement. Lorenzen is another pitcher capable of eating innings, but both men couldn’t expect the Padres to pay top dollar. In a team-friendly deal, they do make sense, though.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.